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Brisbane seminar to explore how human rights help fix critical social challenges

Thursday 23 April 2026 2 mins read

Brisbane seminar to explore how human rights help fix critical social challenges

With so many issues currently impacting on the rights of people across Australia, an upcoming seminar in Brisbane is set to unpack how we can fix wrongs with rights.

With growing concerns around social cohesion, the right to peaceful protest, housing affordability, economic inequality, and the impact of climate change and digital technologies, The Answer Is Human Rights seminar will focus on how human rights can help us address these and other challenging issues.

Presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission in partnership with the Queensland Human Rights Commission, the seminar is part of the AHRC’s national program to mark its 40-year anniversary as Australia’s national human rights institution.

With a panel of leading national and local human rights advocates, the seminar will explore how better protection of human rights will make our communities safer and fairer. Revitalising Australia’s commitment to human rights at the national level will be discussed as well as proposals for addressing a range of key issues for Queensland residents.

The FREE seminar will be held on Tuesday 19 May, 5.30pm – 7:00pm at Metro Arts, 97 Boundary St, West End, Brisbane. 

The seminar will be introduced by QHRC Commissioner Debbie Platz followed by a panel discussion with Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman, AHRC Chief Executive Leanne Smith, QCOSS CEO Aimee McVeigh and Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Director of Services Necho Brocchi. The panel will be moderated by QHRC Deputy Commissioner, Public Policy and Prevention Jane Vasey.

AHRC President Hugh de Kretser: ‘For most of us, most of the time, Australia is a great place to live. But despite our nation’s wealth, many people are struggling. It’s in everyone’s interest to protect human rights. Protecting human rights promotes equality, safety, dignity and prosperity for all people in Australia. Stronger human rights protections will help us address challenges from fraying social cohesion to housing affordability.

‘A stronger commitment to human rights from both the Australian and Queensland governments would protect the values Australians care deeply about: equality, freedom, respect, dignity, kindness and looking out for each other.

‘This seminar is for anyone who cares about Australia’s future and about keeping our democracy healthy and strong.’

Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Debbie Platz: ‘Now more than ever, we need to strengthen both Australia’s and Queensland’s commitment to and accountability for protecting human rights and preventing discrimination. This is a not-to-be-missed event for anyone with an interest in human rights, social justice and anti-discrimination to be involved in a very timely discussion about how we can fix wrongs with rights.’

The Answer is Human Rights | Brisbane seminar

ENDS | Media contact: [email protected] or 0457 281 897

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